Before the visit · 2 min read
Before the trim: getting your yard ready
The work starts before the first cut. Clear access and a few precise details help the trimmer understand your yard, without asking you to prepare the worksite for them.
Gemme sa taille ·
Show the way in
A hedge visible from the street is not always accessible from the street. Indicate which passage to use, whether there is a gate and how to reach the backyard. If access requires crossing a neighbour’s property, arrange that with them before the visit.
Move small items you can easily carry: toys, light pots, hoses and furniture near the hedge. Point out fixed or fragile installations. Do not dismantle a fence or structure to make room without discussing it with the trimmer.
What the photo does not show
A slope behind the hedge, a hidden step or difficult ground can affect access. Note these features in your request. The same applies to a nearby pool, greenhouse, flower bed or irrigation system.
Before the team arrives, keep pets in a secure place and plan for children to stay away from the work area. The trimmer can then explain the boundaries of the worksite.
- Available passage and gate to open.
- Fragile items or installations to protect.
- Slopes, steps and less visible obstacles.
- Neighbouring property and any necessary access permissions.
Wires near the hedge? Tell us
Stay on the ground to observe. Do not bring a measuring tape, ladder or any other tool close to the wires. Hydro-Québec’s safety notice calls for a distance of at least three metres and provides a questionnaire to determine what to do in your situation.
Mention the wires in your quote request, even if you do not know what type they are. Homeowners should not approach them to identify them or clear vegetation that touches them.
Source: Hydro-Québec: before working near power lines (in French).
Confirm the result you want
Keeping the same height, rounding the top and trimming only one side are different requests. A photo from the previous trim can help show what you like. If you want a major reduction, mention it before the visit.
Then review the work listed in your contract. If the yard has changed since the quote, for example with a new fence or shed, tell the network so the request still reflects the actual site.